Entertainment

You are undoubtedly one of the biggest stars in Bollywood obviously doesn't come easy, where does your determination and passion stem from?My family has been my biggest inspiration — they are my true role models and they continue to be. My parents through to my grandparents have seen and experienced all shades of life, the good, the bad, and always faced any situation God presented to them fearlessly together. We share a unified bond which I also instill in my own little family with my wife children.

You are undoubtedly one of the biggest stars in Bollywood obviously doesn't come easy, where does your determination and passion stem from?My family has been my biggest inspiration — they are my true role models and they continue to be. My parents through to my grandparents have seen and experienced all shades of life, the good, the bad, and always faced any situation God presented to them fearlessly together. We share a unified bond which I also instill in my own little family with my wife children.

2013 sees the third instalment of Krrish, a franchise that you are renowned for, what can the audience expect?I think the audiences are going to be in for a treat with Krrish — if you loved the first two films, you will adore this edition. Krrish is our home production and it was like coming home. I did miss Krrish's character.

What are your thoughts on Superhero movies created in Bollywood?The Indian cinema industry is among the best in the world and has created movies of par excellence for years. Being our home production, Krrish 3 will master the superhero genre in Indian cinema and internationally.

That is the vision with Krrish 3, to present a superhero entity that will appeal to all audiences globally, in the same zest and fervour that they appreciate other superhero films like Superman and Batman. I am very sure that regardless of the language Krrish 3 is shot in, the performance, narrative and overall content will help extend the film's appreciate to audiences over and beyond the Indian market and global South Asian Diaspora.

We have already seen this happening with the phenomenal appreciation we received for the film's trailer which set a benchmark, garnering more views than that of Hollywood film trailers like Thor and Avengers. We are very excited to see the audiences' response.

People like Hrithik as a dancer, the dance seems to be missing in his movies these days, is it intentional?Not at all! However cliched this sounds, I guess the scripts I've currently been working on just haven't demanded any breakthrough dance sequences. But never say never though! Krrish 3 does feature some notable iconic moves which will become synonymous of Krrish 3.

Filmmakers from Bollywood have tried to make superhero movies before and they haven't been as successful, what are you doing that is so different?I feel the Krrish franchise has worked as we have listened to the audience, not just in India but globally. We always aim to deliver a film to them that we hope will appeal to their tastes and aspirations. I never like to operate with an insular mind-set. To produce a superhero film, one key factor to remember is that the focus should be on creating a connectivity between the narrative, the characters and the audience as the story of the superhero him the person. There is a hero in everyone. The focus should not be to make a superhero film that boasts style through special effects and never before seen technology but no substance. A balance needs to be met.

Also Krrish is really not about me. To make a film like this you need a team. An actor is nothing, he is a tool, he is the paint, but you need the painter to make it work. Our team is so strong on Krrish 3 and this is the key to our success. You cannot simply rely on the fame and popularity of an actor to make a film such as this.

Krrish 3 will be the third time that you have played the superhero, do you feel that you have many similarities to Krrish in real life?A superhero is about values, not about the costume or the powers. A superhero is someone who never gives up and is in service to others. I think I have the right attitude to be a superhero, to try and come through for those that depend on me.

Some of the special effects that we saw in the trailer are truly breathtaking, how much time was devoted to making these sequences?My father wanted to do all of the special effects in India, it is common in Indian cinema to outsource the special effects for a film to other countries, but my father and I believe that we have the talent in India and that we just need to give them the support and time they need to make a polished and believable finished product. The sequences that you have seen in the trailer are the result of this and I think they look fantastic.

We hear that Krrish 3 has several market firsts. Please elaborate.Yes! We have initiated key brand extensions for Krrish 3 which is really going to help create a greater connect with audiences. From animation, merchandise, digital and comics, we have a full breadth of products to deliver to audiences. We launched Kid Krrish recently, a series of 4 animated features being aired on Cartoon Network. Kid Krrish is the story of Krrish in his childhood who sets out on an adventure with his set of friends. Kid Krrish along with adventure and action also imparts life lessons of friendship and loyalty.

It is the first Indian film / character to be adapted in an animated form. It is also the largest television deal in the animation space. On the merchandise front, we have Krrish live Action which will have unique merchandise ranging from Krrish Masks, wrist bands to first of its kind Consumer Electronics like Walkie Talkies, Music accessories and RC toys (Flying Krrish). The way we have structured the deal is market first in India and will be a more sustainable merchandising programme with a more longer term mind-set. We also have an extensive digital activation plan which will help our fan base be closer to the film and Krrish himself, more than ever before.

I am also extremely excited about our forthcoming comic book series, Krrish: Menace of the Monkey Men, which will be released as a comic book magazine available in stores later this year.